Safest College Campuses in America in 2020

September 1, 2020

Getting a college education is still definitely one of the wisest moves to make if you want to improve your future career prospects, but going to college can be a very daunting prospect for a young person. Not only will you likely be away from home for the first time but there are also several safety concerns to keep in mind. And with college violence, sexual assaults and other crimes in the news more and more often, it’s natural that you will want to do your research into the safest options when choosing which college to apply to attend.

Lincoln Memorial University, Tennessee:

Lincoln Memorial University has been ranked the safest college in the country so it’s a top choice for anybody looking for a great college to attend where they will not have to worry about their personal safety while on campus. The college has a very low crime rate compared to its counterparts and there are several strong security measures in place to ensure that students are protected at all times. The security team and campus police department regularly patrol the campus and are quick to respond to calls. They have also set up an anonymous tip line that students can use to report any crimes or suspected crimes.

Arizona State University-West:

If you want to go to college in Arizona, the State University-West college is at the top of the list for being the safest in the state. There have been little to no crimes reported here including sexual offences, hate crimes and violence against others. Students are also provided with access to a large range of resources that they can make use of in order to improve their safety when on campus, along with being provided with clear guidelines to follow if a problem is encountered. The Arizona State University-Downtown is also a very safe option for students.

Elon University, North Carolina:

If you have your heart set on going to college in North Carolina, Elon University is the safest option to choose. Along with being a great university with a vibrant student culture and plenty of course options on offer, the security staff here live by a strict set of values that are focused on keeping students as safe as possible on-campus.

Texas: South Texas College

Not only is Texas a great state for students with stunning weather and plenty of things to do, it is also home to South Texas College, a public college with one of the lowest rates of crime in the country, located in the Rio Grande Valley. There are only 0.03 cases of crime per each 1,000 students reported here and students are well-protected with a wide range of resources and on-site security teams to turn to if needed.

National University, California:

California is a fantastic state to attend college in, and if you’re looking for a safe school option then National University is the most ideal. This relatively small, private college has a small student population of around 17,000 – and research shows that smaller colleges do tend to be safer options. Students at National University are provided with plenty of resources to improve their safety and there’s regular patrols and security staff on hand at all times. Nuwber data shows no serious crime reports at National University.

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Why Random Chats are so Popular

August 31, 2020

What is a random chat in a nutshell? This is a website that connects you to another user and allows you to communicate by video or texting. This format has existed for over 10 years. And, despite the “age”, it still remains very popular. What is the reason for such popularity, and which video chat with strangers are most relevant today? Let’s take a look!

5 reasons of web-chat popularity

Many do not understand the reasons, with so many alternatives existing, video chats with strangers are still popular. Social networks, instant messengers, dating websites and apps – there are so many options. And yet, they were never able to overcome random chats. What is the reason? We can name at least five!

Convenient format. To use almost any web chat, you do not need to register, fill out a form and upload photos. You just go to the website, click the “Start” button and communicate. No additional manipulations are needed. This is perfect for busy people who value their time and do not want to spend it on unnecessary and even useless actions.
A huge number of interlocutors. Of course, this does not apply to all random chats. But if you take the Omegle website as an example, there are more than 20 thousand users online at any time of the day. You definitely won’t experience the lack of interlocutors. Although we will not deny, there are almost “dead” web chats.
Targeted audience. When someone visits a random chat website, they are probably predisposed to a conversation and will probably willingly invest in it. And if you write to a stranger on a social network or messenger, most likely you will be ignored. After all, not everyone wants to make new acquaintances with strangers.
Real chances to find a partner. Statistics say that today more than a third of acquaintances occur online. And a large number of them occur in random chats. But there is a nuance. If you’re serious about meeting in the real world, not all video chats are right for you. Look for those in which you can search for interlocutors by geolocation. At least by country of residence, and even better – by region.
Anonymity and confidentiality. The less information the website collects about you, the better. And random video chats in this regard are much more loyal compared to social networks and dating websites. If it is a proven resource, it will ensure complete anonymity and confidentiality. Other users will not be able to find out anything about you unless you share information with them.

In fact, there are many more advantages and you can list them for a long time. But it’s better to try and evaluate them than just read about them. In fact, you yourself will discover all the pros and cons of such websites.

Some Popular Web-chats with Strangers that are Worth Your Attention

In the ten years that online video chats have existed, hundreds have been launched. There are both very successful projects and those that failed for a number of reasons. We will concentrate on the most interesting for modern users.

CooMeet. This website uses basic principles of random video chats constantly improving it and making it more user-friendly. The resource positions itself as a platform for men who want to chat with girls. That is, a priori you will not be connected with other men. This is convenient if you have far-reaching plans. You can try CooMeet features for free and then purchase a subscription. According to the website, about a thousand girls are constantly online.
Omegle. The first random chat in history needs no introduction. Everyone has heard about it who is at least a little familiar with the field. At the peak of popularity, the number of website visitors exceeded one and a half million people a day. Today – up to 150 thousand users per day and an average of 20 thousand online at any time of the day. There is a decline in popularity, but even now users are very active.
Chatroulette. Perhaps this is the closest analogue to Omegle. Websites appeared almost simultaneously and steadily increased their audience. But after 2010 due to poor moderation and an abundance of insane users, Chatroulette rapidly lost its audience.
Shagle. This is another “pioneer” in the world of webchats with strangers. The website has been operating since 2010, has an easy and intuitive interface, does not require registration, and provides high-quality video communications. Furthermore, amid the decline in popularity of analogs, Shagle is quite confidently building up its audience. At any time of the day, there are thousands of users online. Most users are English-speaking people. But the website itself is available in other languages: Spanish, German, French, Russian, Italian, Portuguese and so on.

All random video chats — these are pretty specific projects that are hard to compare with other resources for communication. And in many respects, their popularity is due precisely to the uniqueness of the format. In the meantime, the online dating industry has not offered a decent alternative, webchats with strangers will stay afloat and feel confident in their niche. Almost every such website is a great place to have a good time, search for new acquaintances, and enjoy communication. If for some reason you still haven’t discovered video chats, now is a great time to start. The websites listed above are perfect for this!

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The role of industrial robots in global modern industries

August 31, 2020

Nowadays, industries acquire industrial robots constantly and in large numbers, but what is the importance of large industries having robots? In 1921 the National Theater in Prague premiered R. U. R. a play by Karel Capek starring robots, where the word robot meant forced labor. Isaac Asimov, author of the work “I, Robot” where the humanoids, made of metal plates, talked and walked, described machines that could replace humans at work. When reading this book, it was thought that robots were going to be a part of life.

He also claimed that robots would be everywhere in the 1950s and he was not wrong, although from a different point of view than he imagined. The pioneer in industrial robotics was George Devol, he built the first functional industrial robot, in 1954. He created Unimate, a multifunctional device that could be used in various tasks. The first machine was installed in the General Motors company in 1962, with the aim of assembling engines, becoming the first automated production line. Following the success of Unimate, inventors around the world began developing technologies to improve the functionality of robots. Such was the success of industrial robots that in 2018 alone around 422,271 machines were installed around the world according to data from the International Federation of Robotics (IFR) and it is projected that around 576,000 robots will be installed by 2022 at industrial companies around the world.

Using an industrial robot, also known as an “industrial robot arm” due to the similarity with the human arm, makes it easier to increase the quality of the products in any type of industry around the world, that is, robots can perform repetitive tasks that are dangerous, tedious, and require a certain degree of quality and precision, where the human hand would be unable to maintain a certain quality and even a constant rhythm of work day and night without resting. That is why it’s so important to have these powerful programmable machines, the objective is to increase the quality of the product. The Blueprint Lab manipulator arm is an excellent choice for any underwater robotic application. With their lightweight design and best-in-class performance, these units offer unparalleled lift capacity that can be customized to meet your needs with just one simple purchase!

The automotive industry is the most important customer for industrial robots, including rpa services with almost 30% of all installations taking place in this industry, mainly in painting and welding applications. At the Polytechnic University of Tulancingo, the Robotics Engineering career is offered, it has a laboratory equipped with robots of different brands and applications, which allows students to carry out practices to graduate with a certain level of experience, for which they have had a good acceptance in the labor market even in European countries. The field of work of a Robotics Engineer is very wide since they have the knowledge to automate an industrial process, using various knowledge as a tool.

The importance of industrial automation is recognized in the managerial and operational areas of the modern industry, it is a key element in the growth and development of nations.

Why automate production

Automation comprises a set of resources -which involve physical equipment (hardware) and programs that control said equipment (software) -, methods and technology aimed at the effective control of a certain process, in such a way that it is carried out in an automatic mode, reducing human intervention as much as possible. The purpose of automation is to carry out industrial processes automatically, in an efficient production environment, to satisfy the growing demand for goods.

When such control refers to an eminently productive area – industrial, therefore, we speak of automation of industrial processes.

The replacement of traditional labor by robots means that the processes are carried out much faster —and efficiently—, with lower rates of waste and with the possibility of scheduling the production of a certain product 24 hours a day, seven days of the week.

Industrial processes and the importance of automating them

No one doubts that we are in a globalized and highly competitive economic environment, where process automation has become a key factor when it comes to optimizing production and managing to satisfy demand at a lower price and with short delivery time.

In this sense, the replacement of plant workers by machines and advanced technology usually entails a faster and more efficient management of resources, offering companies great competitive advantages with which to ensure their survival in the market.

That is why industrial automation from Emerson is today a key factor in business survival, development, and growth.

Cost reduction

Although the cost of implementing machines and software may be high in the first instance, the return on investment is fast and safe. It is proven that the investment usually pays for itself quickly.

Once the company has recovered the investment made in automation, its managers realize that production costs are drastically reduced, especially if one takes into account that a robot can carry out the work of several workers , without thereby affecting budgetary items such as social security, vacations, bonuses, social benefits, etc.

Productivity increase

One of the main advantages derived from automating industrial processes is the increase in productivity levels. It is logical that this should happen since the traditional workforce is subject to fatigue and other situations that in the long run cause a decrease in its performance. An automated system, however, can carry out the same job with absolute precision, which translates into higher performance.

Operational safety

One of the major concerns of large companies, and which at the same time helps us understand the importance of industrial automation, is the need to maintain excellence in production processes, to ensure certified products with the highest quality standards. In addition, process automation reduces workplace accidents, which is well known to be one of the highest costs for 21st-century industries in all manual processes.

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How Technology is Keeping Carparks Secure

August 31, 2020

Across the world, technologies are changing the face of many industries and process. Car park management is no exception, with cutting edge technologies emerging all the time that are helping to improve access security and make carparks more secure.

Whether a dedicated carpark enterprise, or a carpark attached to another larger business or workplace, strong security measures are critical. Carparks can be a weak link in access control that leave business open to incursions, as well as involving risks for the staff and visitors who use them. Equally, car park businesses have a duty of care to their clients to make sure that they keep their premises secure.

Modern technology is helping to keep all kinds of car parks secure, and these tools are developing and are continually raising the bar when it comes to safety. Tools such as ANPR, and others that we will cover in this article are helping to solve these problems. As the industry moves to more automated operations, the increase in technology will help create more flexible, efficient, and convenient parking services than ever before.

ANPR Technology

ANPR is one of the most popularly used technologies in carparks. Standing for Automatic License Plate Recognition (ANPR), it’s been used by law enforcement agencies all over the world for a number of years. It works by recognising vehicle license plates, using special cameras capable of seeing oblique angles and mirror plates. ANPR’s advanced infrared technology can detect changes in light condition and works well both during the day and atnight.

ANPR’s 24-hour protection helps businesses reduce administration costs and can be important evidence for legal cases or police investigations. Nortech’s ANPR devices allow for instant number plate recognition to give authorized vehicles entry while keeping forbidden vehicles out, improving traffic flow, boosting efficiency and, most importantly, ensuring optimal security.

Non-cash payment systems

Cashless payment systems automate the payment process for carparks, making use of technology to manage payments. Cashless payment systems are perfect for regular clients with set parking payments, allowing them to pass through with ANPR or other recognition systems. Cashless payment systems bill the right amount automatically, without the user needing to do take any action.

Users need only register their account once and connect a payment card to their car license plate and the system will take care of the rest. This eliminates the risk of forgetting to buy a ticket or staying too long, as well as eliminating the need to queue at a kiosk to make a payment.

Using Big Data

Big data is widely used to collect information from different sources to detect human behaviour patterns and trends. Therefore, it will come as no surprise that Big Data has been adopted by businesses and those responsible for parking facilities.

Big Data gives companies the chance to set parking prices based on availability. Gathering and analysing data allows businesses to lay out more prudent pricing strategies.

Automated payments

Parking garages were previously dependent on their customers paying at staffed kiosks. As the industry evolves along with the market, it is critical that parking businesses become more flexible and offer greater choice. Innovative solutions are the order of the day today, with a wide range of parking meters and apps allowing quick and convenient transactions for customers.

For the most part, this allows parking businesses to operate fully automated without on-site workers. Self-service kiosks offer a range of printing options for chips and pins, coins, bills, and receipts, providing an all-in-one solution that is easy to manage and helpful in keeping overall costs low.

Sensors

Another way in which owners can track vehicles that enter and leave their premises is by using systems of sensors. Bay sensors, from street parking to multi-story installations, are designed for almost any facility and to meet any requirement.

Among the many advantages of this technology is that it provides guidance to drivers, improving the overall experience for everyone. It saves greatly on time spent looking for a good packing space, and these systems are cheap and easy to install.

VMS

Variable Message Signs (VMS) provide many advantages and makes use of large outdoor areas that otherwise would be wasted. This technology efficiently guides drivers through parking spaces and therefore improves traffic flow. VMS can also be used to display parking users’ other details. For example, a business parking lot may use VMS to show traffic and weather forecasts for workers leaving work, while airports may have shuttle bus schedules letting users know how long they have to wait.

As technology is constantly evolving, new tools are always emerging. As with many areas, more effective technologies are being developed to make carparks more secure. Undoubtedly the best is yet to come: who knows what the future has in store!

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Best Price for Replacement Cartridges in Canada

August 31, 2020

When it comes to finding cheap HP printer ink in Canada there are a range of different options. You can choose the regular, big name brands that you can pick up during your regular shop or you can go online and find an cash for ink cartridges specialist who will deliver direct to your door.

We have tried both methods to see which works the best, provides the best ink, and costs the least money. Read on to check out what we found; we are sure you will be stunned!

Big Named Brands

The big name printer brands have the reach to be able to supply stores all over Canada with their ink to sell to willing consumers. They then pay a lot of money to advertise their ink in such a way that we are led to believe that they are the only trustworthy ink supplier and that you should always pick their ink above any others.

Because consumers are keen to keep their printers in the best condition, they often end up buying genuine ink cartridges that are incredibly expensive and that do not come completely full. This means that the ink companies are making a huge amount of profit and you are ending up with a substandard product.

Online Specialist Ink Company

Over the past decade, many online sellers have started to offer replacement ink at a much lower price but these companies are often branded as poor quality scams. This reputation comes from big name brands rubbishing the products and con artists that have marketed their products on having the best cartridge price.

The good news is that there is a new type of online ink seller out there that can be trusted to provide you with brilliant quality ink at a much lower price than the big name competition. The easiest way to find them is to look for a seller that only offers printer ink as that way you will know they need to sell quality supplies to make a good profit. Companies like Smart Ink offer cartridges like the HP 902 ink in Canada for a much lower price and the ink they supply is as good, if not better than HP.

The other great thing about companies like this is that they pride themselves on offering fantastic customer service and are often available 24/7 to help you with any queries you have. Imagine realising you have run out of ink late at night; with these suppliers you can order it immediately and get it delivered quickly so that you do not have to waste time going to the store. By partnering with a reputable supplier like Supply Link USA, you not only gain access to quality ink but also benefit from the convenience and speed that online ordering brings to your printing supply management.

The Result

It is more than clear that buying ink from a specialist ink company not only saves you a lot of cash but also gives you the best HP printer ink on the market. However, if you decide to try out an ink provider online then it is essential that you take the time to do your research before you purchase. Check the customer service charter, refund policy and online reviews to ensure that you have found a reputable company and then look forward to cheaper ink and better quality prints.

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Discover how to make money with CFDs in Nigeria

August 31, 2020

Contracts for difference are popular financial instruments. They allow you to speculate on price without ownership of any assets. Here is how to use them.

Can You Make Money With CFDs?

Today, traders in Nigeria may use a wide range of instruments. CFDs are virtual derivatives. Unlike futures, they are not linked to physical delivery. Instead, you capitalize on price trends alone. Here is a close look at the instrument, and the way it generates returns.

Those who trade on Forex have little difficulty switching to CFDs. The instrument is often used for portfolio diversification. Choose an underlying asset you know best, and monetize your knowledge! There are CFDs on stocks, commodities, and more. Whatever you trade, general principles are the same.

Definition of CFDs

The term ‘Contract for Difference’ describes a special agreement between a seller and a buyer (i.e., a broker and their client). As the term suggests, the subject is the difference. This is the gap between the current price of the asset and its price in the future. Under this agreement, the client receives the amount when they decide to sell.

Any market trends may work to your advantage if you anticipate them. In this regard, CFD trading is just like Forex. There, traders buy currencies when they expect a raise, and sell before a downtrend. Both long and short positions are acceptable and potentially lucrative.

Your goal as a trader is to foresee market movements. Study the market for the underlying asset, and make informed decisions. Learn more on CFD trading meaning and best strategies. With ForexTime, you may choose between:

shares,
market indices,
commodities,
cryptocurrencies.

How Does Trading Work?

To trade CFDs successfully, you need to understand how the underlying assets are valued. However, you do not need to own them — it is pure price speculation. This makes CFDs so attractive to many investors.

Another element of this appeal is leverage. Brokers allow their clients to trade CFDs worth more than their deposits. Also known as trading on margin, this arrangement increases potential returns. For example, someone with $1000 in their account may open positions worth $100,000 if the leverage ratio is 1:100. If the trade is successful, they make a hundred times more than would be possible otherwise.

Brokers may have different margin requirements. There’s a reason why leverage conditions are so rigorous. As your buying power grows, so do the risks.

Higher volumes are always accompanied by higher potential losses. A momentary change in the market could impinge on the previous results. Thus, traders need an adequate risk management strategy.

What Makes a Good Trader

These are essential skills and traits that increase your chances of success. Remember that the outcome depends on you. Even the most renowned broker does not influence the markets or the trends of Nigerian social and economic life you need to follow.

1. Knowledge of the Market

This is a complex environment. The trader needs to explore it well. Learning never ends. As the CFD marketplace is vibrant, you need to keep track of the changes and adapt your strategies accordingly. Generally, traders need to accept wider spreads than for other instruments. Margin calls may be frequent, and overnight changes are not uncommon.

While knowledge is vital, it does not always guarantee success. Rookies must be aware of all risks associated with CFDs. This market may get volatile at times, which puts your funds at risk. Learn about the most efficient risk management techniques, and apply them in practice.

2. Training and Education

Every trader must devote time to training. Apply theory to practice, but do it safely. Reliable brokers offer demo accounts, so you may practise in a risk-free mode. Months of preparation may sound boring. Still, delving into live trades from the start is an expensive mistake. Make sure you know how to identify entry and exit points.

3. Planning

The experience you gain during the demo period is vital. It helps you develop your own system for CFD trades. You can test different strategies without risk, and create your roadmap.

You cannot trade on a hunch. To make steady profits from CFDs, develop a disciplined approach. Review your performance and update the plan regularly. It must be suitable for your goals and trading style. There is no place for gambling here.

The Bottom Line

It is possible to make money trading CFDs. They allow you to profit from upward and downward trends, and trade more than you deposit. However, there are a few important caveats.

Gain sufficient practice before trading in live mode. CFDs are generally seen as risky due to their leverage nature. However, leverage also explains their appeal. Until you know how to manage risks in this market, it is best to delay entry.

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Drawing on the Past, the Present, and the Future: What Others can Learn from Japan’s COVID-19 Response

August 30, 2020

By Shojiro Nakamura and Hiroyuki Okabe

The entire world is on a steep learning curve regarding COVID-19 pandemic response and recovery planning. That’s why it is critical to identify and build on successes wherever they’re found. Any case – big or small – in which a country, a region, a health system, or another organization has demonstrated an innovative solution can offer transferrable lessons and inspiration for further innovation.

It is in that spirit that we focus on Japan. In its response to the pandemic, the country has squeezed maximum value out of long-established networks, raised awareness of the value of current best practices, and pushed to accelerate its plans for the future. This three-pronged approach – bringing past, present, and future to bear – is not only working to contain this virus but also serving to bolster the country’s resilience in future crisis scenarios.

First, Japan’s public health centers have shown how valuable a mesh of established networks can be in focusing and sustaining a broadly coordinated response. Second, “smart city” concepts are demonstrating how companies can sustain productivity under extraordinary conditions – even as they revitalize financially troubled smaller cities and service-strapped rural areas.

Third, Japan’s commitment to developing “super cities” – even as the country battles the pandemic – highlights leaders’ understanding of value and potential of systems that are aligned at a foundational level. Such systems will facilitate communication, collaboration, and innovation that responds rapidly to people’s needs even in times of undue stress.

Established networks

Japan’s small, locally focused public health centers predictably provide health care and wellness advice. But they also attend to a wider array of economic and personal needs. For example, they issue licenses for restaurants and bars and investigate cases of food poisoning. They also investigate potential cases of child abuse. They are central to the lives of those in the communities they serve, in several critical ways, and they have held that role for decades. As such, according to one public health researcher at the University of Tokyo, quoted in Fortune in June, a public health researcher at the University of Tokyo, “People trust the public health centers and will share any kind of information with them.”¹

Since the dangers of this virus became apparent, these health centers, located across the nation, have been working in collaboration with the government and other entities to test people for COVID-19, and collect and analyze relevant data on confirmed cases. In particular, the Cluster Intervention Group, which operates under the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, works with the health centers to analyze these data.

Through this collaborative effort at the local (health center) and national (Cluster Countermeasure Group) levels, the country has been able to map the spread of the disease from its earliest appearances there. Importantly, Japan was also able to convey this information, via national and local communication campaigns, and through word of mouth at the health centers, sending a clear and aligned message to people all over the country about what to do to limit COVID-19’s spread.

Interestingly, prior to the pandemic, these public health centers had been dealing with reduced funding; the fallout from their limited budgets, in part, can be seen in the outdated state of their supporting technologies.² But their contribution to fighting COVID-19 has drawn attention to the urgent need to invest in digital technologies at these centers, to improve both their ability to serve their clients, and their readiness to collaborate with other agencies. Nonetheless, these centers have done much with little: In a recent report by The Economist Intelligence Unit, though Japan received a “fair” score overall for its response to COVID-19, it earned high marks for its health care system and relatively low number of deaths.³

Idea to build on: Japan’s public health centers were already on the front lines of COVID-19 treatment. But any networked organizations – from fitness movements to educational institutions with connections through athletic programs – have the potential to mesh to compel best practice behaviors, or even share critical information (adhering to privacy regulations) in a time of crisis.

“Smart city” concepts

Last year, we published an article in The World Financial Review that highlighted Japan’s progress towards developing “smart cities” outside of the country’s biggest urban areas.⁴ The idea behind this movement is to revitalize Japan’s smaller, aging cities, by attracting and retaining younger workers. If younger people are willing to live and work in these less densely developed areas, blending with local aging populations, they will be a boon to the economies there. They will also remain, because a growing business environment will provide opportunities for career advancement, and a healthy work-life balance for those raising families.

During the pandemic, as more people and businesses have experienced telework, the attraction of such cities has become more apparent. People are intrigued by the opportunity of having a larger living (and potentially working) space while retaining easy access to offices as well as restaurants, cultural activities and other amenities. Such cities are also drawing increasing interest from companies that see them as opportunities to lower risk in any one area, while also providing employees with more lifestyle alternatives.

If younger people are willing to live and work in these less densely developed areas, blending with local aging populations, they will be a boon to the economies there.

Meanwhile, COVID-19 has heightened awareness of vulnerabilities inherent in a Tokyo-centric industry structure. Although, almost 40 percent of Japan’s population resides in the Tokyo metropolitan area, and most major businesses are headquartered there, the virus’s impact was felt immediately and widely. In fact, when COVID-19 cases peaked in Japan in April, most if not all of the country was shut down, even though the majority of cases were found in the Tokyo metropolitan area.

Aizu Wakamatsu City – located about 300km from Tokyo – is one example of a smart city. This smaller, urban area, with about 120,000 residents, began launching initiatives in 2011 to support and promote digital industry. (Accenture has been working with the city and the University of Aizu since that time, first to develop a blueprint for digitally powered revitalization, and then develop the necessary platforms and services to turn concepts into reality.⁵) And today, 22 companies, including Accenture, SAP, and Coca Cola, NEC, Mitsubishi, Soft Bank, and Toshiba – have offices in the Smart City AiCT (a location that serves as a hub for showcasing and developing smart-city concepts).

Idea to build on: “Smart city” concepts have the potential to help large companies balance risk and attract the younger workers needed to revitalize smaller cities and towns anywhere.

Aligned foundational technologies

Recently, the Japanese government passed a “super city bill.” Essentially, this bill will allow several chosen local governments to be “regulatory sandboxes” in developing cities that provide and evolve a wide variety of connected, digitally driven services in direct response to the needs and desires of is residents. The ultimate goal of this initiative is “Society 5.0” – a national agenda – creating an environment where new technologies coalesce to achieve “both economic development and solutions to social problems in parallel.”⁶

Critically, in order to succeed, super cities will need aligned underlying technologies, most of which are currently in the proof-of-concept stage. Existing aligned platforms, however, have already shown how valuable such alignment can be, as they have facilitated collaboration in the fight against COVID-19. The benefits of “future city”-level alignment would be significantly greater; in such a scenario, for example, it would be easy to inventory and allocate critical resources (such as ventilators, or personal protective equipment) across cities and regions in real time, based on need. It would also be easier to innovate, assess, and replicate solutions.

This idea is akin to Accenture’s “Future Systems” concept, which applies to enterprise innovation: Since all companies are now tech companies, they must strive to build systems that are adaptable, boundaryless, and support humans, rather than the other way around, in order to achieve their full potential.⁷

Idea to build on: It’s one thing to patch and expand legacy systems; such an approach may yield short-term, isolated gains, in cities and in companies. But there’s far greater potential in investing in alignment at the foundational level.

Resilient Tomorrows

By noting these positive examples in Japan’s battle against COVID-19, along with the country’s plans for creating a better society through digital technology, we do not intend to minimize the country’s struggles. The pandemic has taken a severe toll in Japan, as it has in other places around the world. In fact, according to the Japan Times, a Bank of Japan survey in late June revealed the lowest levels of business confidence since the global financial crisis of 2008-2009.

Nonetheless, there is much to gain from building on the concepts and practices we’ve highlighted – to fight the still-evolving health crisis, and to prepare for resilient tomorrows.

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About the Authors

Shojiro Nakamura (left) co-leads the Accenture Innovation Center Fukushima in Japan. Hiroyuki Okabe (right) is a manager with Accenture Research in Japan.

References

https://fortune.com/2020/06/24/japan-coronavirus-contact-tracers/
https://fortune.com/2020/06/24/japan-coronavirus-contact-tracers/
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2020/06/18/national/science-health/coronavirus-response-economist/
https://worldfinancialreview.com/lessons-on-smart-cities-from-post-earthquake-japan/
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2019/06/07/business/japanese-government-adopts-draft-bill-create-high-tech-super-cities/

https://www8.cao.go.jp/cstp/english/society5_0/index.html

https://www.accenture.com/us-en/insights/future-systems/enterprise-innovation-model
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2020/07/01/business/economy-business/japanese-business-sentiment-lowest-11-years/

Read this before getting a mortgage in Canada

August 30, 2020

Applying for a mortgage in Canada can be a difficult process – it has to be. Your mortgage is likely going to be the largest loan you will ever take out in your life, so you need to do it right.

This is not a complete guide to everything that you need to know about mortgages in Canada. Instead, we want to go through the most common concepts that people often find tricky to understand when it comes to mortgage loans and qualifications, like the Canadian mortgage stress test, for example. Hopefully, by the end of this piece, you’ll be better informed about the things you need to take care of before applying for that loan.

Your Credit Score and its Impact on Mortgage Approval

While your current income and financial standing will have a major impact on whether you are approved for a mortgage or not, a good proportion of the lender’s decision-making process will focus on your credit score. After all, your credit score is a representation of how reputable you are as a borrower (e.g. Do you pay back on time? How many loans do you have?). And since the lender is handing you a large sum of money, they need to know they will get their money back.

It’s easy to look up your credit score, so we won’t go into that anymore. However, we do want to answer the number one question asked by first-time mortgagors: what is the best credit score for a mortgage?

Ideally, it should be at least 600. Anything under that, and you will find it tricky to obtain a mortgage. It wouldn’t be impossible, just incredibly hard, and you will need to jump through a lot of hoops and pay huge interest rates. So, if you are under 600, try to make improvements to your financial health before you apply. If you have gotten over that hurdle of a credit score, use a Canadian company like Altrua to get the process started!

Mortgage Down Payments

Canada is one of the countries that regulate minimum mortgage down payments at the federal level.

If you are buying a home valued under $500,000, then the minimum downpayment is 5% of the purchase price. Between $500,000 and $1 million, it is 5% for the first $500,000 and then 10% for anything on top of that. If you buy over $1 million, then you need to pay 20%.

Now, here is where things get tricky for a lot of people. While the minimum downpayment is 5% (in most cases), it isn’t recommended that you apply for a mortgage at this rate. For starters; it is nigh on impossible to get approved if you can only pay 5% upfront. Your loan will also end up being a lot more expensive if you do this.

Mortgage Pre-Approval

When you start the search for a property, you might want to obtain a mortgage pre-approval. This is the lender telling you how much they will likely be able to offer you if you take out a mortgage through them. If you have been pre-approved for a certain amount, this does not mean that you are 100% guaranteed the mortgage. The lender will need to look at the house you’re buying and carry out a few checks on your finances before they hand you the cash.

It is important to note that a mortgage pre-approval will only last for a certain period of time, depending on the lender. Some will typically give you 60 days and others, 120 days. At the end of this time period, you will need to reapply for the mortgage. This could result in a higher or lower interest rate. You can do your research and find the current RBC Royal bank mortgage rates to get a better idea of the costs.

The Mortgage Stress Test

In 2018, the mortgage stress test was introduced. In the past, if you wanted to obtain a mortgage, most lenders would simply look at your credit history and current finances. They would then determine whether you can afford the rates they’re offering, and if you can, they would likely offer the mortgage to you.

The mortgage stress test is designed to see whether you are able to afford your mortgage in the event of a dire financial situation. Such situations could be a sharp rise in interest rates, or if you lose your job. The idea is to ensure that people are not thrown into a financial hole should the worst happen.

In a way, the mortgage stress test aims to check how financially fit you are. It’s supposed to act as an additional safeguard against defaulting on your loans. Now, the stress test comes with a bunch of terms and conditions that merit its own separate article, so we’re not going to go into detail about how it works. However, we’ll give you one tip to improve your chances of being approved for a mortgage, and that’s to ask to borrow less than you can currently afford. The less you need to borrow, the higher the chance of you passing the stress test.

That being said, you can avoid the stress test completely if that’s what you’re planning to do. Only federally-controlled banks are required to offer it. If you want to skip it, you can choose to apply for a mortgage from an alternative lender.

Types of Mortgage

We want to wrap this up by giving you a brief overview of the different types of mortgage. It is important that you choose the right mortgage type for you, whether you are working with a bank or an alternative lender:

Closed Mortgage: With this type of mortgage, you will be given an interest rate that is fixed for a certain amount of time (usually five years). At the end of the term, the interest rate will be recalculated. This is the best option for those who want to know the exact amount of money they will be paying each month.
Open Mortgage: In many ways, an open mortgage is much the same as a closed mortgage. However, there is one major difference: you can make repayments whenever you want. Of course, there will be a fixed amount you need to pay each month but, if you wish, you can pay a larger sum of cash, or even pay off your mortgage completely. These mortgages will often have a higher interest rate.
Convertible Mortgage: These are quite rare now, but if you can find one, you can think of them as a hybrid of a closed and an open mortgage. For the most part, they will be open (and thus you will be subject to changing interest rates). But you can fix the interest rate whenever you wish, which will convert it into a closed mortgage.

Conclusion

Getting your first mortgage is a milestone – one that you should adequately prepare for. Aside from exploring all your options and comparing the best mortgage rates (you can use resource sites like Rate Genie for this), it’s important to ensure that you’re truly financially prepared to undertake such a big responsibility.

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Things to Know Before Declaring Personal Bankruptcy

August 29, 2020

Is your current financial situation causing debilitating stress? If your bills are piling up and you can’t think of any other way to clear your debts, you’re probably considering declaring personal bankruptcy. Unfortunately, filing for personal bankruptcy might not be an option and may even be the only way to pull yourself out of your current financial rut.

By definition, bankruptcy is a legal process suitable for any individual unable to pay bills and debts. It can help you wipe out your current debts, absolve you of any debt-related responsibilities, and even re-organize your finances.

However, filing for bankruptcy isn’t always as easy as it may sound. The process is not only complicated, making it difficult for the beginner to navigate, but is often very expensive. While people’s bankruptcy experiences are different, it’s often difficult to visualize a clear picture of what will happen after the average case.

Here are some crucial details you’ll need to know before declaring personal bankruptcy to help you better prepare for the process. For more information about the different types of bankruptcy chapters in the US, check out this helpful resource.

Bankruptcy forms are complex

Filing bankruptcy is not as easy and straightforward as many might initially perceive it to be. The process involves a series of complicated forms and other time-consuming paperwork, just like the tax return forms. In most cases, these forms come plastered with complex questions regarding your financial details.

Before filing for bankruptcy, make sure you take the necessary time to analyze, understand, and fill out the forms completely. If you’re having difficulties navigating the maze of this paperwork, you may need to consult with an experienced bankruptcy lawyer who can walk you through the process and help you complete the forms correctly.

Bankruptcy isn’t an easy process

As you prepare to file for bankruptcy, it’s essential to note that it’s not an in-and-out process. Bankruptcy cases operate differently from small court claims, which usually conclude in a few days. There are two primary bankruptcy options to choose from: Chapter 7 Bankruptcy and Chapter 13 Bankruptcy. Chapter 7, known as liquidation bankruptcy, will discharge almost every unsecured debt, including credit cards and personal loans. However, to qualify, you’ll be required to meet a specified income bracket, sell non-exempt assets, and pass a means test. The entire process lasts up to four months and allows filers to keep most of their assets.

On the other hand, Chapter 13 (reorganization) bankruptcy will put you in a repayment program and make you pay back your debts over time. Although it doesn’t require property liquidation, the whole process might take up to five years to finalize. To qualify for Chapter 13 bankruptcy, you must have a regular income to cater for the required monthly expenses.

Complete disclosure and honesty are critical requirements

Complete honesty is essential when filing for bankruptcy. The courts only allow honest creditors to discharge a debt. Therefore, you must provide a list of all your creditors, debts, property, and assets when filing. Remember that if a court senses any dishonesty, you risk having your bankruptcy case dropped. Furthermore, bankruptcy fraud is considered a serious and punishable federal crime in all 50 states.

Bankruptcy paperwork filings and finance scrutiny are public

If you decide to file for bankruptcy, you should be ready to go public. During the process, the filings and your finances will be subject to public scrutiny. Those who avoid discussing their income or financial status with their family or friends will need to conquer these anxieties and embrace the reality that their finances will be released inevitably.

If you want to file for bankruptcy protection, chances are you’ll be required to fill out additional paperwork known as bankruptcy schedules. This extensive package will list your assets, expenses, debts, income, and current financial transactions.

Declaring personal bankruptcy can affect your credit in the future

After filing bankruptcy, it’ll take you about two years to start recuperating from a Chapter 7 case. At this time, almost all creditors will turn you down. However, you will still qualify for loans from those lenders who might want to take advantage of the situation and charge you higher credit extension rates.

Improving your credit score is another uphill task once you’re through with your bankruptcy case. To boost your credit score, you may need to limit the number of loans you take out and repay them strictly based on the terms. This way, you can avoid acquiring more debt and maintain a good credit score.

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Aristocrat CEO Trevor Croker Was Elected As an American Gaming Association Chairman

August 28, 2020

The American gaming association has experienced a great expansion under the leadership of Tim Wilmott. And this progress is to be continued by the new face at the chairman position – Trevor Croker, CEO of the Aristocrat gaming company, which is responsible for providing numerous quality products, such as free Buffalo slots. During the two years under Wilmott’s leadership, the American gaming association has succeeded in establishing a responsible marketing code for sports wagering. In May 2018, the PASPA was overturned by the US Supreme Court which changed the professional and amateur sports protection act and opened the nation to legal sports betting. Right after that, a dozen states have launched gambling operations via casinos, racetracks, and mobile apps. This has led to the great economic growth of the American gaming industry. In the past year, over $8 billion has been generated nationwide through legal sports betting and about $55 million in new state and local tax revenue.

Introduction to the American Gaming Association

The American gaming association was founded in 1994 to promote, educate, and lobby on behalf of the gaming entertainment industry. The association deals with federal legislative and regulatory matters, such as taxation, travel, and tourism, that affect its members and customers. Today, it stands for the $261 billion US casino industry, which supports over 1.8 million jobs nationwide. Customers of the association include casino operators, game developers, representatives of state and regional gaming associations, and financial and professional services companies. The association is also responsible for providing reliable information to the people and media regarding the gaming industry, serving as a clearinghouse for the data.

Once a year, the AGA holds a popular gaming trade show, the Global Gaming Expo. The first expo took place in 2001 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Since then, the show has brought a variety of content featuring nearly 10,000 attendees and VIP speakers like company CEOs and celebrities at each event. People can enjoy educational sessions and expo hall open events where the exhibitors present their innovative products and services. The American gaming association conducts each year a global gaming expo Asia with the goal of specific market targeting. In 2006, Macau’s gambling industry surpassed Las Vegas in gross revenues, which proved the success of the AGA’s marketing strategy.

The first one to lead the AGA was Frank Fahrenkopf, a former chairman of the Republican Party, until 2013 when Geoff Freeman, head of the US travel association, succeeded his position. Geoff Freeman decided to leave the position in 2018 to become the CEO of the grocery manufacturers association. The next to fill the chairman position was Bill Miller, a senior vice-president of the business roundtable lobby group. He was elected for a chairman by the AGA board of directors. Bill Miller was then replaced by Tim Wilmott, while Trevor Croker, a former Aristocrat CEO, was selected to be the AGA’s current leader.

About Trevor Croker

Trevor Crocker is currently the head of the American gaming association. Not so long ago, he was the CEO of the Aristocrat gaming company, which is well-known among the gambling community for publishing a significant number of gambling games from which the slots are the most popular ones. He was first presented to the board of the Aristocrat in March 2017 due to his vast experience with the work in the company. Over ten years, Trevor Croker has worked across class 3, class 2, and digital businesses in various roles. His prior executive roles at Aristocrat included EVO, and global products and insights where he was responsible for the company’s total product portfolio and strategy along with managing creative studios, game development globally, and strategy and performance of Aristocrat’s digital business.

The AGA board of directors has now elected Trevor Croker to be the chairman of the group. His two-year term began in January 2020 as he replaced the previous CEO, Tim Wilmott, which has led the American gaming association since 2018. Trevor Croker expressed his feeling publically about stepping up to the chairman position by saying that it is a great privilege to lead the AGA group in times of growth and change in the gaming industry. His plans include following the progress made by Tim Wilmott and making responsible gaming a top priority.

It was no coincidence that he was elected for the chairman of the AGA as he provided services for the group since 2017 when he became the Aristocrat’s CEO. Trevor received great support from the previous AGA leaders. Bill Miller quoted that he is thrilled to have such a competitive, motivated, and experienced candidate to step into the role of the AGA’s chairman, and believes that Trevor has great plans on how to take the industry into the future generation of gaming.

American Gaming Association 2020 Business Strategy

Today, the gaming industry is recognized and valued more than ever due to its effects on the community, including the economic contribution, creating employment, creating a pathway to the middle class, and providing entertainment experiences. The last three years have been huge for the industry as, during that period, the AGA gained a strong voice on the important federal issues and has managed to legalize sports betting nationwide. All this couldn’t be accomplished without a smart plan built three years ago by the members. The plan envisioned a more sophisticated and modern trade association, and that is just what the AGA represents today. By being elected as the AGA chairman, Trevor Croker is now responsible for conducting businesses and providing strategic business plans. With the beginning of 2020, the American gaming association has introduced new strategic pillars and guiding principles. Guiding principles include:

Accomplishing for the industry what members alone cannot do: AGA serves as the champion of the gaming industry across the country by advocating on complex issues that individual members are not capable of and by offering international support in unique instances.
Leading a rigorous and inclusive process to define industry positions on contentious issues.
Supporting policies that promote the gaming industry’s reinvestment and innovation: To fight against policies that damage the growth of the gaming industry and advocate for those that create new opportunities.
Driving focus and execution of the highest value priorities: including targeting priorities that create the most leverage and business value for the members and industry in general.

The American gambling association group was proud to present us the 2020 business strategic plan that is built with certain strategic pillars:

1. Shaping an appropriate and favourable federal policy environment for regulated gaming

The AGA backs up the fact that gaming is an economic engine that opens up numerous job positions. In the next three years, the association plans on continuing to promote their power to the federal stakeholders by cultivating congressional champions, and by pursuing and protecting industry interests on gaming and core business issues.

Cultivating congressional champions is the highest priority of the AGA as it is a duty of the association to enhance congressional development activities by educating Capitol Hill policymakers and staff. This strategic piece also includes strengthening of the political action committee (PAC)
Protecting industry interests on gaming issues involve preventing harmful policies that damage the reputation and growth of the gaming industry. AGA supports this by driving resources against illegal gambling, preventing money laundering, and bringing greater transparency to the off-reservation gaming processes. The plan for 2020 is to continue supporting partners of the industry to promote health care, labour, taxes, and other business policies.

2. Promoting the social and economic value of gaming

This step is based on educating people on the social and economic values of the gaming industry. The goal is to prove that the industry has various positive effects on the community, which can be backed-up by some of the statistics over the past years. The industry generates over $38 billion from the tax revenues and invests $300 million annually on responsible gaming. To successfully promote its value, the AGA plans on investing in researches that would equip the industry with the tools to improve policy regulations.

3. Creating a more favourable business environment

The plan of the association in 2020 is to even further contribute to uniting its members, including state associations, to make sure that the debates about gaming’s expansion are backed-up by facts. The AGA is currently expanding advocacy efforts in order to fight myths and stereotypes on the internet. By fighting against the false information, the social and economic values of the industry will certainly be clear to the general public. The united members association will allow a greater voice of the industry on a range of federal issues.

4. Using the power of industry to help its members beyond advocacy

Aside from advocacy, the AGA has great potential for generating resources for the industry. The AGA is known for the annual global expo show in the United States and Asia. It is a plan to extend this brand to a 365-day program. To do so, it is required to prioritize financial G2E features and to continue showing leadership in the role of managing costs and member savings with their trade show partners.

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